Buenos Aires (VNA) – More than 70 countries have signed the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, known as the Hanoi Convention, in Hanoi, marking the first time the international community has established a legally binding framework to combat cybercrime, local media reported on October 26.
According to Infobae and La Nación newspapers, the Hanoi Convention, adopted in late 2024 after nearly five years of negotiations, aims to create international standards for investigating, prosecuting, and preventing online crimes. The convention covers a wide range of offences, from cyberattacks and financial fraud to the non-consensual sharing of sensitive images — an issue of growing global concern.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the Hanoi Convention as a powerful, legally binding tool to strengthen collective defences against cybercrime, highlighting that it reflects the vitality of multilateralism. He stressed that no nation can protect itself without international cooperation.
Infobae quoted Guterres as saying that the convention represents “a victory for victims of online abuse” and “a clear roadmap for investigators and prosecutors” to overcome cross-border barriers in sharing digital evidence.
Meanwhile, La Nación noted that the new convention criminalises a broad range of technology-related offences and establishes a 24/7 cooperation mechanism between states to facilitate the rapid and efficient exchange of electronic evidence. Notably, it is the first international treaty to define the non-consensual distribution of intimate images as a criminal offense and to address online sexual violence against children — a major step forward in protecting human rights in cyberspace.
The signing ceremony in Hanoi carried strong symbolic meaning, reflecting the trust of the United Nations and the international community in Vietnam. The event reaffirmed Vietnam’s active role in shaping a safe, transparent, and humane global digital order, while opening up opportunities to enhance international cooperation on cybersecurity and sustainable development./.
